Fluid dispenser



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DENIS FARANDATOS Jan. 4, 1966 D. FARANDATos FLUID DISPENSER 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Fled July 30, 1963 m: w o -M -E United States Patent3,227,310 FLUID DISPENSER l Denis Farandatos, 750 Lexington Ave., NewYork, N.Y. Filed July 30, 1963, Ser. No. 298,739 18 Claims. (Cl. 222-5)The invention relates to iluid dispensing means and par`` ticularly toan apparatus for dispensing compressed fluid in measured quantities froma cylinder containing compressed fluid.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my applicationSerial No. 149,276, filed November 1, 1961, which in turn is acontinuation of my earlier application Serial No. 778,335, tiledDecember 5, 1958, both no w abandoned. The present application is als-oa continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 17,550, filed March25, 1960, now abandoned.

The invention has among its objects the provision of a novel, simple andeconomical fluid dispenser.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a fluiddispenser which is simply operated to open an initially sealed supply offluid under pressure and is simply controlled thereafter so asselectively to dispense predetermined quantities of iluid. Anotherobject is to dispense fluid from high pressure cylinders safely and toprovide pressure reducing means acting as a .safety valve.

Another object of the invention resides in Ithe provision of a uiddispenser of the above indicated character which is compact, easilyportable, safe and durable.

Another object is to remove corks from bottles, t-o supply oxygen asneeded where needed, and to administer medicine by osmosis.

It is known .to compress gases within small metal cylinders and topenetrate these cylinders to release the gases into other chambers foruse. Examples of this practice are the impregnating of water with carbondioxide to make the charged water called club soda and, as discussed inmy prior Patent No. 2,729,124, dated January 3, 1956, to remove corksfrom bottles without disrupting the cork.

It is an object of this invention to improve upon my own prior apparatusfor dispensing compressed fluids in selected quantitiesfrom cylinderscontaining fluids under pressure.

Another object is to provide iluid dispensing apparatus which is readilydismantled and is composed of readily replaceable parts.

Another object of the invention is to utilize pressure fluid cylindersto atomize liquids. For example, when it is desired to spray a room withan insecticide or a disinfectant the standard method is to use anatomizer actuated by a squeeze bulb, a method imperfect in itselfbecause it does not produce a continuous and even atomization, and whichis ineffective when the space to be filled is large.

Another example of the novel use is in the operation of garden sprays. Astandard method now used is to partly ll a large can with the liquidspray, then manually pump up the remaining spaces with air underpressure, then dispense the spray as long as the pressure lasts. This isintermittent and relatively unsatisfactory.

The invention is applicable to all such uses and provides improvedoperation i n each of them, delivering gas in whatever quantities areneeded, as needed and always under the control of the operator.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention willmore fully appear from the following description when the same is readin connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of th'einvention.

3,227,310 Patented Jan. 4, 1966 More specifically my invention relatesto a device for dispensing fluids under pressure comprising a highpressure fluid containing cartridge having a puncturable sealingdiaphragm, an axially reciprocable needle valve member having a pointedend adapted to pierce the diaphragm without disrupting it and to formtherewith a seal against the escape of fluid through the aperture thusmade, means biasing the needle valve member toward the diaphragm withforce suiiicient to hold the needle in sealing position in the aperturein the sealing diaphragm, and releasable means to retract the needlevalve member in opposition tothe biasing means to permit controlledquantities of fluid to ow outwardly from said cartridge through theaperture.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in vertical axial section through a corkscrew withwhich the Huid dispenser of the invention is associated, certain of theparts of the apparatus being shown in elevation; FIG. 2 is a fragmentaryview in vertical axial section hrough a portion of another embodiment ofgas dispenser made in accordance with the invention, certain of theparts being shown in elevation;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in axial section through a portion of athird embodiment of gas dispenser made in accordance with the invention,certain of the parts being shown in elevation;

FIG. 4 is a View in transverse section through the dispenser of FIG. 3,the section being taken generally along the line A-A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in axial section showing the neckand diaphragm of a gas-containing cylinder and the tapered end of adiaphragm-piercing member cooperating therewith in accordance with theinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through another form of the invention,including cooperating fittings for attachment to an atomizer (notshown).

The gas dispenser of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawingassociated with a corkscrew with which it may be employed to removecorks from bottles in the manner disclosed in my U.S. Patent No.2,729,124. The gas dispenser may be used to advantage, as will appearhereinafter, in many other applications such as inflating automobiletires, footballs, and other inflatable articles such as life rafts andthe like, and for attachment to atomizers and the like.

The gas dispenser shown, generally designated 10, is in the form of anelongated generally cylindrical member or cartridge generally centrallyconnected to a transverse member 11 which serves as the supporting anddriving means for a corkscrew 12. Gas dispenser 10 is in the form of ahousing 14, the right hand end of which has a longitudinally extendingcavity 16 therein. A removable cap 17 is connected to such end of thehousing by screw threads 19, the cap and the end of the housingreceiving therewithin a cylinder 20 containing a gas such as CO2 underrelatively high pressure.

Cylinder 20 as sold has a centrally disposed neck 21 which is sealed bya soft metal diaphragm 22 which extends across the mouth of the neck.The metal seal 22 is malleable and not frangible, and because it ismalleable it forms a tight joint with the circumference of the meanswhich the invention provides to penetrate it. Housing 14 of the gasdispenser has a short axially extending recess 24 which is open tocavity 16 to receive the neck of the gas cylinder therewithin. At theinner end Iof recess 24 there is positioned an annular resilient sealingmeans 25 made, for example, of rubber. When the cap 17 is tightlyscrewed onto the housing a resilient pad 18 within the outer end of thecap forcibly engages the outer end of gas cylinder 20 to thrust theouter rim portion of its neck 21 into sealing engagement with theannular sealing means 25.

Beyond sealing means 25 housing 14 is provided with an axialgas-receiving passage 26, which is aligned with the central openingthrough sealing means 25. A second gas-receiving passage 27 .in housing14 and in body 11, leads from pasage 26 to an enlarged bore 23 in thebottom of body 11. The cockscrew 12 is connected to body 11 by athreaded connection 28 between it and the outer end of bore 23. Thecockscrew is hollow throughout a major portion of its length, having acentral passage 29 therethrough. The bottom of passage 29 has alaterally extending opening 30 whereby, when the cockscrew has beeninserted in the cork in a bottle, gas under pressure may be introducedto the interior of the bottle through the passages 26, 27 and 29 andopening 30 in the manner to be described.

The left hand end of housing 14, generally designated 31, contains andsupports mechanism whereby the diaphragm 22 of the gas cylinder 20 maybe pierced to open the gas cylinder, and the pierced aperture 39 indiaphragm 22 is selectively sealed and opened to dispense gas fromcylinder 20 as required. Housing part 31 is -provided with a centralaxially extending bore 32 within which a relatively loosely fttingplunger head 34 is axially reciprocable. In the embodiment shown, theplunger includes the aforesaid head 34 and a reciprocable plunger rod 40secured to head 34 by a set screw 36. The forward or inner end 35 of rod40, inwardly of head 14, extends within passage 26. Such forward portionof rod 40 is made of somewhat smaller diameter than passage 26, wherebyto provide an annular gas-receiving space between them. The forward orinner end of portion 35 of rod 40 is of sharp needle shape as indicatedat 37 to function as a diaphragm-piercing member and, after an aperture39 has been pierced in the diaphragm, as an imperforate needle valveelement. Although the forward end 35 of rod 40 carrying the pointedpiercing head 37 has been shown as integral with the remainder of therod, it will be understood that, if desired, the piercing member may bemade separately from the remainder of the plunger rod and suitablyconnected to plunger head 34. Because the sealing plug 22 of thecylinder is malleable the penetrating needle makes its own valve seat asit penetrates the plug, and the needle itself can be used as the valveto control the flow of the gases from the cylinder.

At the outer end of bore 32, housing part 31 is provided with aplug-like member 41 which is secured thereto by a threaded connection42. Member 41, which has a central bore 44 therethrough, serves to guidethe outer end of plunger rod 40, and also functions as an abutment forthe outer end of a coil compression spring 45 which is disposed aboutrod 40 with its inner engaging plunger head 34. In the embodiment shownthere is employed an `annular spacer member 43 between the outer end ofspring 45 and plug 41.

The outer end of plunger rod 40 is threaded as shown at 47, so asthreadedly to receive a plunger-manipulating knob 46 disposed beyond theouter end of housing part 31. By suitably turning knob 46 with respectto plunger rod 40, the knob may be adjusted longitudinally of the rod tofunction as a stop means for the plunger. The knob 46 may be held inadjusted position by the lock nut 49 positioned outwardly of the knob.

The embodiment of the gas dispenser above described functions asfollows: A charged gas cylinder 20 is mounted within the right hand endof the housing 14 as shown, the cap 17 being tightened to effect a sealbetween the outer rim of the neck 21 of the gas cylinder and sealingmeans 25. During this operation the plunger 40 will move a shortdistance to the left against the thrust of spring 45 to allow suchsealing of the gas cylinder. The force exerted on plunger 34 by spring45 is insufficient to cause the pointed end 37 of the rod 40 to piercediaphragm 22. When it is desired initially to use the gas dispenser, theknob 46 connected to the plunger 40 is drawn back to the left aconsiderable distance, and is then released so that spring 45 thruststhe plunger to the right with considerable speed. This causes the point37 of the plunger to pierce the diaphragm 22 and to make the aperture 39therein. Spring 45 has sufficient terminal thrust to maintain thetapered or conical end of the plunger in sealing contact with the thusformed aperture 39 in the diaphragm. When it is now desired to dispensegas from cylinder 20, the plunger 40 is moved a short distance to theleft against the action of spring 45 by means of knob 46, the plungerbeing released again to seal aperture 39 when sufficient gas has beenreleased. Because the release of gas takes place for short periods, mostof the gas flowing through passage 26 passes into passage 27 and topassage 29; only an insignificant quantity of gas escapes past theplunger head 34. Thus the plunger head 34 adjustably secured to theplunger rod 40 and snugly fitting within the bore 32 of the housingportion 31, together with the screw threaded plug 41 which closes theend of the bore adjacent the plunger manipulating knob 46, serves toseal the bore or passageway so that substantially all the fluid passingthe needle valve 35 from the c-artridge 20 will pass outwardly throughpassages 26, 27 to the point of use rather than through the -bore 32,whereby the effectiveness of the fluid would be lost.

To safeguard the operation of the device there is provided a passage 50through the wall of the housing to connect cavity 16 thereof to theatmosphere. This allows the gas to be safely discharged to theatmosphere if the neck of the cylinder should not form a seal with means25. Further, there is provided a passage 51 connecting with bore 23 inbody 11, the passage 51 being covered by a frangible seal 52 which isadapted to rupture, for example, at a pressure well below that which awine or champagne bottle will safely stand but at a pressure greaterthan that required for cork-removing operations.

The embodiment of gas dispenser shown in FIG. 2 is generally the same asthat shown in FIG. 1 with the exception that it incorporates an addedmeans for moving the plunger so as accurately to control the dispensingof the desired amount of gas. Parts in FIG. 2 which are the same asthose shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference characters.In the device of FIG. 2 an elongated washer-like member 54 having aplungerreceiving slot 55 therethrough is disposed between the outer endof housing part 31 and the inner end of plunger knob 46. A substantiallength of member 54 projects laterally outwardly beyond housing part 31as shown at 56, there preferably being an axially outwardly directedterminal piece 57 thereon. The parts of the apparatus are adjusted sothat knob 46 and member 54 together function, with the outer end ofhousing part 31, as a stop means for the plunger 40. When it is desiredto dispense predetermined quantities of gas from cylinder 20 it isnecessary only to engage members 56 and 57 with the linger and to pullthem, like a trigger, toward the right in FIG. 2. After the desiredamount of gas has been released, members 56 and 57 are released by thefinger. Member 54 then returns to its full line position, therebyallowing the valve constituted by the diaphragm and the pointed end ofthe plunger to close.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 there is shown still another embodiment of gasdispenser. Such dispenser is similar to those shown in FIG. 2, butdiffers therefrom in the character of the means for moving plunger 40 toopen and close the gas releasing valve as required. Parts in FIGS. 3 and4 which are similar to those in FIGS. l and 2 are designated by the samereference characters.

Between the outer end of housing part 31 and the inner end of knob 46connected to plunger 40 there is positioned a reciprocable washer-likemember 59.` Member 59 has a slot 60 therein receiving the outer end ofplunger rod 40. Member 59 has a length somewhat greater than thediameter of housing part 31, and has terminal Wing members 61 thereonlying laterally outwardly of the housing and so disposed so as to beengageable by the fingers and thumb of the operator. The axially outersurface of the broad extent of member 59 has two aligned generallylaterally symmetrical cam-like rises 62 thereon, there being an opening63 through member 59 transversely outwardly of each rise 62. The axiallyinner end of knob 46 has a circular ridge 64 thereon and an annularrecess 66 outwardly of such ridge. Rises 62 and annular ridge 64 are soarranged that rises 62 function as cams and diametrically opposedportions of ridge 64 function as cam followers.

When the member 59 is in either of the two terminal positions thereofshown in FIG.`3 the diametrically opposed active portions of the annularridge 64 lie at one side of the rises 62. The axially inner annular rimof knob 46', under such conditions, functions with the broad extent ofmember 59 and the outer end of housing part 31 to stop the plunger rod40 in its inner, aperture-sealing position. Thus the valve constituted-by rod end 37 and the aperture 39 in diaphragm 22 is closed. Adjacentthe mid point of each stroke of member 59 from one terminal positionthereof to the other, plunger 40 will be moved upwardly (FIG. 3) therebyto retra-ct end 37 of rod 40 from aperture 39, thus to open such v-alveto dispense gas from the cylinder. The total quantity of gas dispensedwill depend upon the number of strokes and the speed of reciprocation ofmember 59. It will be seen, therefore, that the device of FIGS. 3 and 4provides means whereby the quantity of gas dispensed is under thecomplete and accurate control of the operator. It will be lobserved bystudy of the drawings that the penetrating pin makes a very smallorifice through the seal of the gas cylinder, an orifice which is sosmall that it acts as a reduction valve which delivers the compressedgas beyond the hole in the seal at a materially reduced pressure. Thismakes it possible to control high pressures within the compressed gascylinders with comparatively small forces on the outside, and this inturn makes it possible to remove corks safely, to distribute oxygenthrough face masks, and to inflate relatively weak objects withoutdanger, without speci-al skill, and in controlled amounts.

The valve is of the self-closing type, the spring biasing the valve toclosed position being strong enough to drive the penetrating pin intosealing position as soon as the lever is released. The pressureoperating against the valve point in closed position is very smallbecause of the small area presented to the internal pressure of thecylinder and this makes control by a spring of small power possible.This invention retains the gases in the cylinder until they are used andreleases them as needed.

A slightly different form of fluid dispenser is disclosed in FIG. 6,wherein the axially reciprocable needle valve member includes a hollowstem or conduit portion extending axially through the dispenser housingand adapted to discharge fluid under pressure to any suitable receiverintended to utilize such fluid under pressure, which fluid may be usedfor any suitable purpose as previously set forth herein, as, forexample, for removing corks from bottles, for inflating tires, footballsor the like, and as herein illustrated is provided with an adapter whichleads to an atomizer, life preserver or other suitable receiver.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 of the presentapplication corresponds to FIG. 2 of my application Serial No. 17,550,filed March 25, 1960, and now abandoned, whereas FIGS. 1-5 correspond tothe disclosure of my application Serial No. 149,276, filed November 1,1961, now abandoned.

In common with the disclosure of FIG. 5, the embodiment of my fluiddispensingdevice shown in FIG. 6 inludes an elongated casing generallydesignated C, in-

cluding a body or valve housing portion or member C adapted to receiveand house an axially `reciprocable needle valve member generallydesignated by the reference numeral 100, and a cap portion C2 axiallyadjustable with reference to the valve housing member C by reason of thethreaded connection 101 between the two casing members C and C2. Asshown the cap portion C2 serves to house a major portion of a tubularmember 102 containing fluid under pressure, which fluid is adapted to bereleased in controlled quantities by means of the needle valve member100. The member 102 is preferably a conventional cartridge containingCO2 under pressure similar to the cartridge 20 of the embodiment ofFIGS. l-5. As shown, the cartridge 102 is provided with a head portion103 adapted to fit into a socket portion 104 herein shown as projectingaxially beyond the main body of the housing member C. The cartridge 102is provided with the usual puncturable end wall or diaphragm 105, whichpreferably seats against a suitable sealing gasket 106 seated in thesocket member 104. A suitable outer ring or sealing gasket 106 ispreferably provided between the ends of the casing members C and C2. Asuitable external flange or collar 107 provides an abutment which limitsthe movement of the cap member C2 in one direction.

The reciprocable needle valve member is mounted within the casing memberC for axial reciprocation therein toward and from the cartridge member102. The needle Valve member is normally biased toward the cartridge byany suitable means, herein shown as a spring 108, one end of whichengages a flange 109, herein shown as a ring mounted in a groove in astem portion 110 of the valve member 100, while the other end of thespring engages an inwardly projecting abutment 111 held in place by aretainer ring 111 carried by the casing member C.` The stem portion 110of the needle valve member is shown as hollow throughout the majorportion of its length, while the end adjacent the cartridge 102 is shownas provided with a plug 112 secured to the stem portion, which plugcloses the end of the passage 113 extending through the hollow stem,such plug being provided with a tapered and sharpened needle valveportion or pin 114 constituting the valve proper, which serves toinitially penetrate the diaphragm 105 of the cartridge 102, andthereafter serves as a valve to control the iiow of fluid under pressurefrom the cartridge as previously described in connection with theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings.

Fluid passing through the opening formed in the diaphragm around theneedle valve 114 when said valve is retracted in whole or in part passesfirst into a chamber 115 in the casing member C to the left of thesealing gasket 106, and thence passes through a passage 116, bypassingthe plug 112, and through an opening 117 in the hollow stem 110 into theaxial passage 113 extending through the stem and connected through anolive shaped sealing gasket 118 formed in a head member or nut 119threadedly mounted on and movable with the stem 110, to a hollow needlemember 120 similar in structure and function to the needle member 40 ofFIG.y 1 of my application Serial No. 17,550, now abandoned. The needlemember 120 may be used to perforate the cork of a bottle or the like ina cork removing device, as in my Patent No. 2,729,124 and as in myapplication Serial No. 149,276, led November l, 1961, now abandoned, butas herein shown the pointed end thereof may be inserted in a suitableadapter 121 connected to a hose Or the like 122, which in turn may beconnected to an atomizer, life preserver, or other apparatus designed touse fluid under pressure received from the cartridge 102. As shown theadapter is provided with a rubber insert 123 having a passage extendingtherethrough and connected at one end with the hose passage and at itsother end adapted to snugly receive the pointed end of the hollow needleor connector 119 which is connected to and communicates with the needlevalve member 102 through the olive shaped gasket 117.

As previously set forth, the needle valve member 100, including thepointed portion or pin 114, which constitutes the needle valve proper,is normally biased toward the diaphragm 105 of the cartridge 102 by anysuitable means such as the spring 108 which reacts between the retainerring member 109 carried by the stern 110 of the valve member and theabutment or ange 111 extending inwardly from the wall of the casing, andprevented from rearward movement by the retainer ring 111 carried by thecasing. Forward movement of the needle valve member toward the cartridgeis limited by engagement of the ring member 109 carried by the hollowstem 110 of the needle valve member with an internal abutment 125carried by the casing member C.

As will be apparent from the drawing, when the retainer ring 109 is incontact with the abutment 125 the needle valve member 100 is in itsextreme forward position with the point of the needle 114 projectingbeyond the sealing gasket 106 and into and through the sealing diaphragm105 of the cartridge 102. Perforation of the sealing diaphragm 105 maybe initially effected by inserting the cartridge in the cap member Cwhile such cap is separated from the body member C', then assembling theparts with the cartridge contained in the cap member and screwing thecap member upon the body member until the projecting point of the pin114 pierces the diaphragm 105 of the cartridge, the biasing spring 108being of sufficient strength to bias the pin forwardly during thepiercing operation.

As long as the pin 114 remains in its forward position under the biasingaction of the spring 108 no uid can flow out of the cartridge, but assoon as the pin point 114 is retracted from its forward position inopposition to the biasing spring, accurately controlled quantities ofuid under pressure may pass through the opening in the diaphragm andthence through passage 116 and aperture 117 into the axial passage 113extending through the hollow stem 110 of the reciprocable needle valvemember 100, and thence through the passage and hollow extension member120 to a suitable place of use.

Suitable means generally designated by reference numeral 126 areprovided for retracting the needle valve member 100, including theneedle point or valve proper 114, a controlled distance against theforce of the biasing means 108, which biasing means, however, constantlyurges the valve member toward the cartridge, so that as soon as theretracting means is released to any extent the valve member 100 and allparts connected thereto immediately tend to move forward toward thecartridge 102 to the degree permitted by the relaxing or release of theretracting means 126.

As shown, the retracting means 126 comprises a curved cam member 127having an opening 128 therein through which the needle valve member 100freely passes, said cam member being pivoted at 129 to the wall of thecasing C and being provided with an operating handle 130 extendinglongitudinally of the casing C from the curved cam portion toward thecartridge housing portion C2. When the operating handle 130 isdepressed, i.e. moved toward the casing, the curved cam portion ormember 127 engages a nut 131 adjustably mounted on the stem 110 of thevalve member 100, thus forcing the nut 131 and the valve member 100,including the pin pointed valve portion 114, axially rearwardly, thatis, in a direction away from the cartridge, against the action of thebiasing spring 108, which, however, constantly tends to move the valvemember forwardly, that is, toward the closed position of the valve, assoon as the retracting means is released or relaxed in whole or in part,the biasing means being of sufficient strength to completely close theneedle valve 114 when the operating handle is completely released.

Although only a limited number of embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoingspecification, it is to be expressly understood that various changes,such as in the relative dimensions in the parts, materials used, and thelike, as well as the suggested manner of use of the apparatus of theinvention, may be made therein without department from the spirit andscope of the invention as will now be apparent to those skilled in theart.

What is claimed is:

1. A iluid dispenser comprising a high pressure uid containing cartridgehaving a puncturable sealing diaphragm, an axilly reciprocable needlevalve member having a pointed end adapted to pierce the diaphragmwithout disrupting it and to form therewith a seal against the escape ofuid through the aperture thus made, means normally biasing the needlevalve member against the diaphragm with force sufiicient to hold theneedle in sealing position in the aperture in the sealing diaphragm, andreleasable means including a member rigidly connected to the needlevalve member to retract the needle valve member in opposition to thebiasing means to permit controlled quantities of the uid to flowoutwardly from said cartridge through the aperture, while the needlevalve member is retracted and permitting said needle valve member toclose said aperture when the retracting means is released, said fluiddispenser comprising an elongated housing supporting said needle valvemember and said cartridge in axially aligned position with the pointedend of the needle aimed at the sealing diaphragm of the cartridge,wherein the needle valve member is mounted in one end of the housing andthe cartridge in the other, and a portion of the needle valve retractingmeans projects outwardly from the housing adjacent the needle valve endthereof and is accessible to the fingers of an operator.

2. A fluid dispenser as set forth in claim 1, including fine adjustmenttrigger means controlling the position o the point of the needle valvemember relative to the aperture in the sealing diaphragm.

3. A fluid `dispenser comprising an axially reciprocating needle valvemember, a uid dispensing cartridge having a perforable portion, meansfor mounting said cartridge with said perforable portion in alignmentwith the needle valve member, pressure means initially biasing saidneedle valve member into engagement with said perforable portion of thecartridge, but with insuicient pressure to puncture said portion, andreleasable manual operating means including a member rigidly connectedto the needle valve member for retracting said needle valve memberaxially away from said perforable portion in opposition to said biasingmeans, whereby the force of the biasing means is increased sutciently sothat the needle will pierce said perforable portion on release of theoperating means, said manual operating means serving also to withdrawthe needle means from the perforable portion of the cartridge afterinitial perforation to permit release of fluid from said cartridgetherethrough.

4. A fluid dispenser comprising a uid dispensing cartridge having asealing diaphragm, reciprocable needle means having an end adapted topierce the diaphragm without disrupting it and to form therewith a sealagainst the escape of uid through the aperture thus made, spring meansnormally biasing the needle means against said diaphragm withinsufficient force to initially perforate the diaphragm but with forcesuicient to hold the needle in sealing position in the aperture in thediaphragm after initial perforation thereof, and releasable manuallyoperable means including a member rigidly connected to said needle valvemeans for retracting said needle means from the diaphragm, to compressthe spring sufliciently to enable it to force the needle means throughthe diaphragm on release of the manual means, said manual means alsoserving to withdraw the needle means from the apertured diaphragm tovalve the iiuid through the aperture.

5. Apparatus for controlling the release of Huid from a high pressurecylinder having a sealing diaphragm which comprises means to hold thecylinder, penetrating means including a needle aimed at the diaphragm ofthe cylinder, spring biasing means initially urging theneedle againstsaid Idiaphragm with insuflicient force to perforate the same, andreleasable needle retracting means including ay member rigidly connectedto said needle for moving said needle axially away from said diaphragmin opposition to the biasing means whereby the force of said biasingmeans is increased sufficiently to cause the needle to perforate saiddiaphragm on release of said retracting means, said retracting meansalso serving to withdraw the needle from the perforated diaphragm topermit fluid to discharge from said cylinder through the perforation insaid diaphragm.

6. A fluid dispenser comprising a housing means to hold a penetrablefluid cylinder which has a sealing diaphragm, and having a passagealigned with said cylinder, a reciprocable needle member having aneedle-like piercing end adapted to pierce the sealing ydiaphragm of thecylinder and hermetically seal the aperture thus made, pressure meansinitially biasing the reciprocable needle member against said diaphragmbut with insufficient force to penetrate the diaphragm, and releasableretracting means operable to withdraw the needle member against theopposition of the biasing force to initially increase the biasing forcesuficiently to cause the piercing end of the needle to penetrate saiddiaphragm and form an aperture therein, said retracting means servingalso to withdraw the needle from the aperture to permit the escape offluid therefrom into the passage.

7. A fluid dispenser comprising a high pressure fluid containingcartridge having a sealing diaphragm, a needle valve member having apointed end adapted to pierce said diaphragm, means mounting said needlevalve member for axial reciprocation with respect to said diaphragm,including needle retracting means rigidly connected to said needle valvemember, means operatively connected to said needle valve member normallybiasing said needle valve member with sufficient force to maintain thepoint thereof in contact with said diaphragm without puncturing it, saidneedle valve member being movable by said needle retracting means awayfrom said diaphragm against said biasing force thereby storing in saidbiasing means additional force operative, whereby, upon subsequentrelease of said retracting means, to cause said needle valve member topierce said diaphragm without disrupting it, and means limiting themovement of said needle valve member in the direction of said diaphragm,said normal biasing Vforce being sufficient to maintain the needle insealing contact with the aperture thus formed and to permit subsequentmovement of said needle valve member away from said contact to dispensesaid fluid through said aperture.

8. A device for dispensing lluid under pressure from a cartridge havinga penetrable sealing diaphragm at one end thereof, said devicecomprising a housing including a valve housing portion and a cartridgehousing portion, the latter adapted to receive a cartridge therein withits puncturable end directed toward the valve housing portion, a needlevalve member axially reciprocable in said valve housing portion towardan-d from said cartridge, said needle valve member having a taperedpointed end portion adapted to pierce said puncturable end of thecartridge and to form therewith a seal against the escape of fluidthrough the aperture thus made while the tapered portion remains in saidopening, means normally biasing the needle valve member against saiddiaphragm with sufficient force to hold the tapered needle portion insealing position in said aperture, and means for retracting said needlevalve member in opposition to said biasing means to permit controlledquantities of the fluid to flow outwardly from the cartridge as theneedle valve is retracted.

9. An apparatus for dispensing fluid under controlled 10 pressure from ahigh pressure fluid containing cartridge having a puncturable sealingdiaphragm, said apparatus comprising a tubular housing, a needle valvemember mounted for axial reciprocation in said housing, and means formounting a fluid containing cartridge axially in said housing with itspuncturable sealing diaphragm, in alignment with the needle valvemember, said needle valve member having a pointed end adapted to piercethe diaphragm and to form therewith a seal against the escape of fluidthrough the aperture thus made while the pointed end remains in saidaperture, means normally biasing the needle valve member toward thediaphragm with sufficient force to hold the needle in sealing positionin the sealing diaphragm, and releasable means to retract the needleValve member in opposition to the biasing means to permit controlledquantities of fluid to flow outwardly from said cartridge through theaperture.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein a portion of saidneedle Valve member is hollow and provides an axial passage for the flowof fluid from said apparatus. u

11. A device for controllably releasing a compressed gas from acontainer having a malleable puncturable wall area, said devicecomprising a body component adapted to receive the container so that themalleable puncturable wall area of the latter faces one end of adischarge passage in the body component, a pointed piercing and sealingmember movably disposed within the passage with its pointed end facingsaid wall area, resilient means urging the pointed end of said membertowards said wall area, and means for applying a force to said member toovercome said resilient means and move the pointed end of said memberaway from said wall area, the arrangement being such that said member isoperable to pierce with its pointed end an outlet hole in said wall areaand form its own seating in the hole, said resilient means holding thepointed end of said seating to seal the outlet until said force-applyingmeans is actuated to withdraw the pointed end from its seating and thusrelease gas from the container into the passage.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said resilient means is aspring and the pointed piercing and sealing member is operable by snapaction of that spring to pierce and seal said outlet hole in said wallarea, the bias of the spring being insufficient, in the absence of snapaction, to cause piercing but suilicient to cause sealing once piercinghas been effected.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the spring is a coilcompression spring loosely mounted on the piercing and sealing member,one end of the spring engaging a plunger head carried by said member andthe other end of the spring engaging with a fixed abutment within thebody component, the plunger head being disposed intermediate the fixedabutment and the pointed end of said member.

14. A device according to claim 11, wherein the end of the piercing andsealing member remote from the pointed end is extended to projectoutwardly beyond one end of said body component.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the projecting extension ofsaid member carries a knob-like element, the position of said knob-likeelement on the extension being adjustable axially of the latter.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said projecting extension isexternally screw-threaded and said knob-like element is formed with acentral bore whereof the surface is similarly screw-threaded.

17. A device according to claim 15, wherein a lever is engaged betweensaid one end of the body component and an adjacent end of the knob-likeelement, said lever being operable to move the knob-like element awayfrom the body component and thus to move the pointed end of the piercingand sealing member away from the malleable puncturable wall area of thecontainer.

18. A device according to claim 15, comprising a re- 11 Ciprocable cammounted between said one end of the body component and an adjacent endof the knob-like element, and also comprising a cam follower formed onsaid adjacent end, the construction and mutual arrangement of the Camand cam follower being such that movement of the cam in either directionfirst causes the knob-like element to move away from the body component,and thus causes the pointed end of the piercing and sealing member tomove away from the malleable puncturable wall area of the container, andthen allows the knob-like element to move back towards the bodycomponent.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,751,130 6/1956Murphy 222-509 LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

N. L. STACK, Assistant Examiner.

5. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE RELEASE OF FLUID FROM A HIGH PRESSURECYLINDER HAVING A SEALING DIAPHRAGM WHICH COMPRISES MEANS TO HOLD THECYLINDER, PENETRATING MEANS INCLUDING A NEEDLE AIMED AT THE DIAPHRAGM OFTHE CYLINDER, SPRING BIASING MEANS INITIALLY URGING THE NEEDLE AGAINSTSAID DIAPHRAGM WITH INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO PERFORATE THE SAME, ANDRELEASABLE NEEDLE RETRACTING MEANS INCLUDING A MEMBER RIGIDLY CONNECTEDTO SAID NEEDLE FOR MOVING SAID NEEDLE AXIALLY AWAY FROM SAID DIAPHRAGMIN OPPOSITION TO THE BIASING MEANS WHEREBY THE FORCE OF SAID BIASINGMEANS IS INCREASED SUFFICIENTLY TO CAUSE TO NEEDLE TO PERFORATE SAIDDIAPHRAGM ON RELEASE OF SAID RETRACTING MEANS, SAID RETRACTING MEANSALSO SERVING TO WITHDRAW THE NEEDLE FROM THE PERFORATED DIAPHRAGM TOPERMIT FLUID TO DISCHARGE FROM SAID CYLINDER THROUGH THE PERFORATION INSAID DIAPHRAGM.